# Mackenzie Dam

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Dam and power station in Tasmania, Australia

This article is about the dam and power station in Tasmania, Australia. For the Canadian river and its hydroelectric facilities, see [Mackenzie River § Hydroelectricity](/source/Mackenzie_River#Hydroelectricity).

Dam in Northern Tasmania

Mackenzie Dam Interactive map of Mackenzie Dam Country Australia Location Northern Tasmania Coordinates 41°40′45″S 146°22′55″E / 41.679303°S 146.381970°E / -41.679303; 146.381970 Purpose Power Status Operational Opening date 1972 (1972) Owner Hydro Tasmania Dam and spillways Type of dam Rock-fill dam Impounds Fisher River Height 14 m (46 ft) Length 976 m (3,202 ft) Dam volume 176×10^3 m3 (6.2×10^6 cu ft) Spillways 1 Spillway type Uncontrolled Spillway capacity 515 m3/s (18,200 cu ft/s) Reservoir Creates Lake Mackenzie Total capacity 20,220 ML (16,390 acre⋅ft) Catchment area 75 km2 (29 sq mi) Surface area 29.6 ha (73 acres) Normal elevation 1,114 m (3,655 ft) AHD Fisher Power Station Coordinates 41°40′24″S 146°16′06″E / 41.67333°S 146.26833°E / -41.67333; 146.26833 Operator Hydro Tasmania Commission date 1973 (1973) Type Run-of-the-river Hydraulic head 603 m (1,978 ft) Turbines 1 x 46 MW (62,000 hp) Fuji Pelton-type Installed capacity 46 MW (62,000 hp) Capacity factor 0.9 Annual generation 240 GWh (860 TJ) Website hydro.com.au [1]

The **Mackenzie Dam** is a rock-filled [embankment dam](/source/Embankment_dam) across the Fisher River, located in the [northern](/source/North_West_Tasmania) region of [Tasmania](/source/Tasmania), Australia. Completed in 1972, the resultant [reservoir](/source/Reservoir), [Lake Mackenzie](/source/Lake_Mackenzie_(Tasmania)), was established for the purpose of generating [hydro-electric power](/source/Hydro-electricity) via the **Fisher Power Station**, a [run-of-the-river](/source/Run-of-the-river_hydroelectricity) hydroelectric [power station](/source/Power_station).

The dam, its reservoir, and the power station are owned and operated by [Hydro Tasmania](/source/Hydro_Tasmania); and are located within the [Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area](/source/Tasmanian_Wilderness_World_Heritage_Area).[2]

## Dam and reservoir overview

### Technical details

The [asphalt](/source/Asphalt_concrete)-faced [rock-filled dam](/source/Rock-filled_dam) wall is 14 metres (46 ft) high and 976 metres (3,202 ft) long. When full, Lake Mackenzie has capacity of 20,220 megalitres (16,390 acre⋅ft) and covers 29.6 hectares (73 acres), draw from a [catchment area](/source/Drainage_basin) of 75 square kilometres (29 sq mi). The single [uncontrolled spillway](/source/Spillway#Types) is capable of discharging 515 cubic metres per second (18,200 cu ft/s).[1]

### Reservoir

Water from Lake Mackenzie flows via canals, tunnels and pipes to the Fisher Power Station. The water descends to the power station and then flows into Lake Parangana.[3][4]

The area surrounding the reservoir were affected by the [2016 Tasmanian bushfires](/source/2016_Tasmanian_bushfires).[5] Fishing and boating is permitted on the reservoir; and the waterway is dominated by wild [brown trout](/source/Brown_trout) and [rainbow trout](/source/Rainbow_trout).[6]

## Hydroelectric power station

The Fisher Power Station is part of the [Mersey](/source/Mersey_River_(Tasmania))–[Forth](/source/Forth_River_(Tasmania)) scheme that comprises seven [run-of-the-river](/source/Run-of-the-river_hydroelectricity) hydroelectric power stations and one [mini-hydro](/source/Mini-hydro) power station. The second station in the scheme, the Fisher Power Station is located in the river's upper reaches.

The station draws water from Lake Mackenzie, supplemented by water run-off from the plateau and by water pumped from Yeates Creek and Parsons Falls pumping stations. Water flow to the station is via a 6.5-kilometre-long (4.0 mi) flume, siphon and canal and then a 5.2-kilometre-long (3.2 mi) vertical shaft, inclined shaft, tunnel and surface [penstock](/source/Penstock). The water descends 650 metres (2,130 ft) from the lake to the power station and flows 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) before entering Lake Parangana.[3]

The power station was commissioned in 1973 by the [Hydro Electric Corporation (TAS)](/source/Hydro_Tasmania) and the station has one [Fuji](/source/Fuji_Heavy_Industries) [Pelton-type](/source/Pelton_turbine) [turbine](/source/Water_turbine), with a generating capacity of 46 megawatts (62,000 hp). The station output is estimated to be 240 [gigawatt-hours](/source/Kilowatt-hour) (860 [TJ](/source/Terajoule)) annually,[1] or 16% of Tasmania's electricity annual production.[4] The electricity is fed through an 11 k[V](/source/Voltage) air-blast circuit breaker to [TasNetworks](/source/TasNetworks)' transmission grid via an 11 kV/220 kV [Siemens](/source/Siemens) generator transformer T1 and a second transformer T2, accepts the station 22 kV output from Rowallan Power Station.[7]

In July 2013, [Andritz AG](/source/Andritz_AG) announced that it had secured a contact to support the upgrade of facilities at the Fisher and [Cethana](/source/Cethana_Dam#Hydroelectric_power_station) power stations.[8] In 2017, additional upgrades were announced, provided by the [ABB Group](/source/ABB);[9] with further upgrades expected to be completed in 2027.[10]

## See also

- [Renewable energy portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Renewable_energy)
- [Australia portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Australia)
- [Water portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Water)

- [List of power stations in Tasmania](/source/List_of_power_stations_in_Tasmania)

- [List of reservoirs and dams in Australia § Tasmania](/source/List_of_reservoirs_and_dams_in_Australia#Tasmania)

- [List of lakes of Australia § Tasmania](/source/List_of_lakes_of_Australia#Tasmania)

- [List of run-of-the-river hydroelectric power stations](/source/List_of_run-of-the-river_hydroelectric_power_stations)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ANCOLD_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ANCOLD_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ANCOLD_1-2) ["Register of Large Dams Australia-2015"](https://ancold.org.au/information-resources/dams-information/) ([Excel](/source/Microsoft_Excel). Requires download. Row 320). *[ANCOLD](/source/ANCOLD)*. January 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Mersey-Forth Water Management Review](https://www.hydro.com.au/sites/default/files/2026-02/mersey-forth_techreport_land_rehab_lake_mackenzie.pdf) (PDF). *[Hydro Tasmania](/source/Hydro_Tasmania)* (Report). November 2013. p. 1. Retrieved 26 April 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MF_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MF_3-1) ["Mersey–Forth power stations"](https://www.hydro.com.au/clean-energy/our-power-stations/mersey-forth). *[Hydro Tasmania](/source/Hydro_Tasmania)*. Retrieved 26 June 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-submission_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-submission_4-1) ["Hydro Tasmania submission"](https://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/78802/9.-Hydro-Tasmania.pdf) (PDF). February 2024. pp. 21–22. Retrieved 26 April 2026 – via [Tasmanian Government](/source/Parliament_of_Tasmania).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Fire damages Hydro Tasmania assets"](https://www.waterpowermagazine.com/news/fire-damages-hydro-tasmania-assets-4790127/). *International Water Power (magazine)*. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Lake Mackenzie"](https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/fisheries/waters-a-z/lake-mackenzie/). *Inland Fisheries Service*. [Tasmanian Government](/source/Tasmanian_Government). n.d. Retrieved 26 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Fisher Power Station"](https://www.hydro.com.au/docs/default-source/clean-energy/our-power-stations/power-station-fact-sheets/fisher-power-station-fact-sheet.pdf?sfvrsn=39cd9b28_2) (PDF). *Mersey-Forth Catchment*. [Hydro Tasmania](/source/Hydro_Tasmania). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230626014638/https://www.hydro.com.au/docs/default-source/clean-energy/our-power-stations/power-station-fact-sheets/fisher-power-station-fact-sheet.pdf?sfvrsn=39cd9b28_2) (PDF) from the original on 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Cethana and Fisher - First major generator refurbishment project in Australia"](https://www.andritz.com/hydro-en/hydronews/25/hy-news-25-13-cethanafisher-hydro). *Hydro News*. [Andritz AG](/source/Andritz_AG). 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["ABB excites Hydro Tasmania power stations"](https://new.abb.com/news/detail/54634/abb-excites-hydro-tasmania-power-stations). *[ABB Group](/source/ABB)*. 20 July 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Hydro Tasmania another step closer to completing major Mersey-Forth Hydropower Scheme upgrade"](https://www.hydro.com.au/articles/media-releases/hydro-tasmania-another-step-closer-completing-major-mersey-forth-hydropower) (Press release). [Hydro Tasmania](/source/Hydro_Tasmania). 17 April 2026. Retrieved 26 April 2026.

## External links

- Walker, Cam (March 2024). ["Central Plateau to Long Tarns"](https://themountainjournal.com/adventure/tasmania/central-plateau-to-long-tarns/). *Mountain Journal*. Retrieved 26 April 2026.

- ["Our power stations: Mersey-Forth"](https://www.hydro.com.au/our-energy-system/our-power-stations/mersey-forth). *[Hydro Tasmania](/source/Hydro_Tasmania)*. Retrieved 30 April 2026.

- ["Mersey-Forth Water Management Review: Program Commitments"](https://www.hydro.com.au/sites/default/files/2026-02/mersey-forth_commitments_poster.pdf) (schematic). *[Hydro Tasmania](/source/Hydro_Tasmania)*. n.d. Retrieved 30 April 2026.

v t e Dams and reservoirs in Tasmania, Australia Central Highlands Arthurs Lake Catagunya Clark Cluny Lake Binney Lake Echo Liapootah Meadowbank Miena Pine Tier Repulse Wayatinah King Island Upper Grassy North East Briseis Cascade Clarence Curries River Duck Reach Weir Frome Monarch Mount Paris North West Guide River Henty Pet River White Spur Northern Augusta Cethana Devils Gate Ford Mackenzie Meander Paloona Parangana Rowallan Taylor No. 3 Trevally Wilmot South Craigbourne Flagstaff Gully Hall No. 2 Knights Creek Limekiln Gully Lower Reservoir Ridgeway Rileys Creek Risdon Brook Stanton South West Edgar Gordon Laughing Jack Scotts Peak Serpentine Western Anthony and levee Bastyan and levee Crotty Darwin Mackintosh Tullabardine Margaret Murchison Newton Reece Decommissioned Tolosa Park Category | List

v t e Energy in Tasmania Hydroelectric Derwent Butlers Gorge Catagunya Cluny Lake Echo Liapootah Meadowbank Nieterana Repulse Tarraleah Tungatinah Wayatinah Gordon-Pedder Gordon Franklin Dam controversy Mersey-Forth Cethana Devils Gate Fisher Lemonthyme Paloona Parangana Rowallan Wilmot West Coast King John Butters Lake Margaret Pieman / Anthony Bastyan Mackintosh Reece Tribute Yingina / Great Lake Poatina Tods Corner Trevallyn Others Huntsman Decommissioned Duck Reach Moorina Waddamana Waddamana B Wind farms Granville Harbour Musselroe Woolnorth Cattle Hill Huxley Hill (King Island) Natural gas Tamar Valley Decommissioned Bell Bay Organisations Alinta Aurora Powerco Hydro Tasmania Roaring 40s TasNetworks Former Transend Networks Interconnectors Basslink Planned Marinus Link Other Office of the Tasmanian Economic Regulator 2016 Tasmanian energy crisis List of power stations in Tasmania

v t e Lakes and other bodies of water in Tasmania, Australia Coastal lagoons and lakes Bronte Dulverton Jocks Orielton Little Waterhouse Freshwater Beatrice Dora Flannigan Meston St Clair Flooded Arthurs Brady Chain Binney Bradys Bronte Dee Echo Pine Tier Tungatinah Great King William Pedder Edgar Glacial Dove Selina Westwood Salt Fidler (Meromictic) Man-made reservoirs Barrington Burbury Catagunya Cethana Craigbourne Gairdner Gordon Henty Huntsman Liapootah Mackenzie Mackintosh Margaret Meadowbank Murchison Paloona Parangana Pieman Plimsoll Repulse Rowallan Rosebery Trevallyn Wayatinah Lakes portal

v t e Central Highlands region of Tasmania, Australia Settlements Bronte Park Derwent Bridge Gretna Liawenee Miena Tarraleah Governance Lyons (federal) Lyons (state) Western Tiers (state) Central Highlands Council Meander Valley Council Mountains Artillery Knob King Davids Mount Olympus Du Cane Range The Acropolis Castle Crag Geryon Gould Ossa Thetis Cradle Cirque - Bluff Cirque Barn Bluff Cradle Smithies Cathedral Cathedral Great Western Tiers Ironstone Mother Cummings Quamby Bluff Pelion Range Pelion East Pelion West National parks Other conservation areas Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair Mole Creek Karst Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Walls of Jerusalem Central Plateau Conservation Area Interlaken Lakeside Reserve Rivers Derwent Lake Nive Meander Lakes Arthurs Bronte Great Mackenzie St Clair Dams Arthurs Lake Catagunya Clark Cluny Lake Binney Liapootah Mackenzie Meadowbank Meander Miena Pine Tier Miena Repulse Wayatinah Power stations Butlers Gorge Catagunya Cluny Fisher Lake Echo Liapootah Meadowbank Nieterana Poatina Repulse Tarraleah Tods Corner Tungatinah Wayatinah Decommissioned Waddamana Transport Lake Highway Lyell Highway Marlborough Highway Landmarks El Grande Horseshoe Falls Lady Barron Falls Overland Track Pelion Gap Russell Falls Waterfall Valley Hut other Central Highlands (bioregion) 2016 Tasmanian bushfires

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mackenzie Dam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mackenzie_Dam) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mackenzie_Dam?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.